How to get a work permit
Work permits are issued by the Chinese government to allow foreign nationals to work in the country. Here is a guide to obtaining a foreigner’s work permit. Foreigners employed in Shanghai must obtain a work permit regardless of their nationality, visa type, or the length of their employment.
I. Apply for the Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit before entering China
Before entering China, the application for the 'Notification of Foreigner's Work Permit' can be processed entirely online by the employer or entrusted service agency.
How to apply for the Notification Letter of Foreigner's Work Permit?
II. Apply for the Foreigner's Work Permit within 15 days after your entry.
1. Documents Required
- Applicant's certificate of physical examination
- Applicant's valid visa or residence permit
- Other documents
2. How to apply
(1) The applicant submits the materials on the following websites:
Service System for Foreigners Working in China
Government Online-Offline Shanghai
(2) Submit hard copy materials on-site.
(3) For those approved, a decision for the permit is made, and they are notified to collect the Foreigner's Work Permit on-site. For those whose applications are not approved after review, a decision of non-permit is made, along with the reasons provided.
3. Where to apply
| No |
Municipality/District |
Service center |
Address |
Service hours |
Tel |
| 1 |
Municipal level |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center |
|
Service hours: |
021-3251-1517 |
| Windows 17–19, 3F, No 1500 Minsheng Road, Pudong New Area |
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| 2 |
Pudong New Area |
Shanghai Pudong New Area Talent Service Center Zhangjiang Science City Sub-Center |
Application Hall, 1F, Building 1, Pudong International Talent Hub, Alley 999, Huanke Road, Zhangjiang town, Pudong New Area |
Service hours: |
021-5860-3333 |
| Shanghai Pudong New Area Talent Service Center Lujiazui (Finance) Sub-Center |
Application Hall, 1F, No 1996 Zhangyang Road, Pudong New Area |
Service hours: |
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| Pudong New Area Talent Service Center Free Trade Zone Sub-Center |
Service Hall, 1F, Talent Tower, No 55 Fela Road, Gaoqiao Town, Pudong New Area |
Service hours: |
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| 3 |
Huangpu district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Huangpu Branch |
The Bund International Talent Service Center |
9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-5309-5303 |
| No 343 Nansuzhou Road, Huangpu district |
9 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
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| 4 |
Jing'an district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Jing'an Branch |
Windows 5 & 6, 6F, No 1600 West Nanjing Road, Jing'an district |
9 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-5292-1375 |
| 5 |
Xuhui district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Xuhui Branch |
Window 13, 2F, Building 2, No 999 Nanning Road, Xuhui district |
9 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-6404-3512 |
| 6 |
Changning district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Changning Branch |
Windows 1 – 6, 2F, Building T5, EBA Center Hongqiao, No 377 Songhong Road, Xinjing town, Changning district (comprehensive service window) |
8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-6212-6377 |
| 7 |
Putuo district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Putuo Branch |
Window 15, 1F, Entry-Exit Administration Hall, No 125 Fucun Road, Putuo district |
Service hours: |
021-5280-6010 |
| 8 |
Hongkou district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Hongkou Branch |
Hongkou district Entry-Exit Administration Center |
9 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Thursday |
021-6507-1579 |
| 9 |
Yangpu district |
Yangpu District High-Level Talent Development Service Center |
Window 7, 1F, Entry-Exit Administration Hall, No 605 Songhu Road, Yangpu district |
8:45 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-2217-0243 |
| 10 |
Baoshan district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Baoshan Branch |
Window 8, Entry-Exit Administration Center, No 1688 Youyi Road, Yanghang Town, Baoshan district |
8:45 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-5616-0213 |
| Window 8, Talent Comprehensive Service Hall, Baoshan Science and Innovation Talent Hub, No 666 Tongji Road, Baoshan district |
8:45 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
|
021-3658-1890 |
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| 11 |
Minhang district |
Minhang District Talent Service Center |
Window 8, Entry-Exit Administration Hall, Alley 4099 Zhongchun Road, Xinzhuang town, Minhang district |
8:30-11:00 13:30-16:30 |
021-6498-6160 |
| Window B04, 1F, Building G, Green Valley Square, No 69 Yonghong Road, Xinhong subdistrict, Minhang district |
9 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-3358-8003 |
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| Window 5, 1F, Building E, No 940 Jianchuan Road, Minhang district |
8:30 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-3412-0751 |
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| 12 |
Jiading district |
Shanghai International Automobile City Overseas High-Level Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service Center |
Window D16, 2F, Jiading District Government Service Center, No 88 Jiaxin Road, Jiading district |
9 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 5 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-6958-5056 |
| 13 |
Jinshan district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Jinshan Branch |
Windows 13–14, Comprehensive Service Hall, Zone D, 2F, Jinshan District Administrative Service Center, No 555 Longshan Road, Shanyang Town, Jinshan district |
8:30 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-5792-2206 |
| Window 1, No 1556 Longxuan Road, Shanyang town, Jinshan district |
8:30 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
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| 14 |
Songjiang district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Songjiang Branch |
Comprehensive Window SJ036, 2F, Songjiang District Government Service Center, No 81 Songli Road, Yongfeng subdistrict, Songjiang district |
8:45 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-6784-8636-6 |
| 15 |
Qingpu district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Qingpu Branch |
Foreigner Work Permit Window, Qingpu District Entry-Exit Administration Hall |
8:30 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Thursday |
021-3386-2958 |
| 16 |
Fengxian district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Fengxian Branch |
Windows B409 & B410, 4F, Building B, Fengxian District Government Service Center, Alley 1529 South Wangyuan Road, Nanqiao town, Fengxian district |
8:30 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-6713-7581 |
| 17 |
Chongming district |
Shanghai Talent Development Service Center Chongming Branch |
Foreigner Work Permit Window, Entry-Exit Administration Hall, No 7800 Chongming Avenue, Chengqiao town, Chongming district |
8:30 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-5962-7016 |
| 18 |
Hongqiao International Central Business District |
Hongqiao International Central Business District Enterprise Service Center |
1F, Building G, No 69 Yonghong Road, Minhang district |
9 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 5 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-3473-3198 |
| 19 |
Shanghai Free Trade Zone (Bonded Area) |
Free Trade Zone Human Resources Public Service Platform |
Window 8, Service Hall, No 38 Rijing Road, Pudong New Area |
9 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 5 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-2204-3562 |
| 20 |
Lin-gang Special Area |
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lin-gang Special Area International Talent Service Center |
Foreigner Work Permit Window, 1F, Building A1, No 158 Zishan Road, Lin-gang Special Area International Talent Service Hub |
9 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday |
021-6828-9698 ext 8012 |
Sources: Shanghai Municipal Talent Work Bureau, sgst.cn/foreign
